An environment conducive to experimentation

Through several commercial, arts and entrepreneurial endeavours, Aldeias do Xisto have created ways to transform ideas into action and resources into returns. In short, to make the local culture an asset for economic and social development. This approach is structured around a model of research, creative immersion, representation and production, inviting artists, researchers and thinkers to develop projects and objects that carry a meaning and a message, and that stimulate the emergence of new ways of doing, living and being.

From concept to production

The focus remains on the laboratory format, crossing different skills, techniques (artisanal and digital) and audiences (craftspeople, artists, scientists, students and teachers), involving small industrial or family production units, through a project approach that is already well incorporated in the modus operandi of the Aldeias do Xisto: development of welcoming and creative immersion programmes, technical and artistic research, design, prototyping and production of artefacts, design of shows or artistic works, and development of projects, boosting knowledge and skill centres in the territory. For business and research projects, the Aldeias do Xisto have a network of knowledge and skill centres, physical and human resources, a solid network of specialised partners, as well as access to national and European financial support programmes. 

Knowledge and skill centres

Based in the various knowledge and skill centres in the Aldeias do Xisto region which combine traditional practices with technical and scientific research in a light-hearted approach to hands-on learning and in a close relationship with the community and its wisdom. This is the case, for example, with the Casa das Tecedeiras and the carpentry workshop in Janeiro de Cima, the Fab Lab Aldeias do Xisto, the community wood ovens where you can learn how to make bread in a wood oven or bowl, as in Figueira, and the ceramics and wood workshops in Cerdeira. It is hoped that they can also promote the settlement of people and companies by providing them with the knowledge, techniques and tools to deal with the various aspects of life in these places – so they are able to leave the urban centres behind and engage with the land, living and enjoying the whole of the country.

Welcome and experience without fear of mistakes

From music to craft-design, photography to drawing, gastronomy to literature, sports to leisure, over the years there have been many experiences founded in local resources and knowledge, based on immersion, inspiration and learning in a real context, combining traditional and scientific knowledge with innovative solutions for social interaction and integration. Some examples are: the XJazz artistic residencies, which have already resulted in four albums; the Craft+Design+Identity trilogy that ran several design and applied art fairs in the main European capitals; the À Mesa com as Aldeias do Xisto cullinary research and experimentation project; the exploration of the territory through art and photography with the Between Serras Project; the exploration through design of new ways to activate the capacities and skills of villages still have with the Project@X; artistic residencies in drawing (Desenhar a Essência dos Lugares) and literature; the Cyclin' Portugal project, which affirms the bicycle as a tool at the service of the development of the territories.

• Projects